The $1 million pest-proof fence being erected around Lake Rotokare in Eltham is nearly halfway completed and Trust members are happy.
The Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust was established by locals to protect the lake and native bush.
Their objective is to completely ring fence the reserve with a pest-proof fence that will exclude all mammals including juvenile mice and then eradicate all mammals from inside the fence, except our indigenous bats.
The forest will then be allowed to recover to provide an ecosystem that will be as close as possible to the condition it was in prior to human occupation of New Zealand and in a position where indigenous flora and fauna will flourish.
Their objective will soon be a reality, with 60% of the 8.4km fence nearly posted and nearly 50% completely finished.
The Xcluder-type fence comes from Waikato and is the first full stainless steel fence in the world. The fence has been created specifically to stop pests - from its arched roof, to the tiny mesh and ground skirt to stop burrowing animals.
Locals can sponsor a metre of the fence at a cost of $112.50 or can offer their time to volunteer for numerous jobs that need doing at the reserve. More than 150 volunteers are needed to complete the project.
The Trust has kept the development of the fence as local as possible, hiring local fencers and businesses for all supplies.
Ngeru Earthmoving have done all the groundworks, posts and batons have been supplied by Taranaki Sawmills, and numerous items have been obtained from Taranaki Farmers Eltham.
Greg Ngeru and Andrew Bevins have ploughed around the 230-hectare reserve, allowing the local contractors to build the fence.
The Taranaki Regional Council have also helped with this project.
The Trust would like to thank all volunteers, businesses and supporters for their continued generosity and time.
A huge thank you to the TSB Community Trust for a $1.25 million grant and the South Taranaki District Council $950,000.
Thanks to other confirmed funders: Taranaki Electricity Trust $110,000, Origin Energy $7500, Taranaki Tree Trust $30,000, WWF Habitat Protection Fund $10,000, Transpower Landcare Trust $4000, Biodiversity Condition Fund $10,368, Koala Trust $12,165, M&E; Rodie Trust $10,000, Swift Energy $1500, Tap Oil $5000 and individual sponsorship $20,000.
For more information please phone Joe Menzies (Project Manager and Trust Chairman) on 06 764 5068 or Kara Prankerd (Project Co-ordinator) 027 224 0165 or email kara.prankerd@gmail.com
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